NACOC Debunks Cannabis Myths
The Director-General of the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), Major General Maxwell Obuba Mantey, has cautioned young people against popular misconceptions about cannabis, stressing that its plant-based origin does not make it harmless or incapable of affecting the brain.
Addressing students and young people drawn from all 16 regions of Ghana at the National Youth Conference held at the Great Hall of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, the Director-General said cannabis use comes with significant consequences, particularly for cognitive functions such as memory, judgment and decision-making.
Major Gen. Mantey said one of the most persistent myths among young people was the belief that because cannabis is obtained from a plant, it is naturally safe and does not pose serious risks to users.
He urged the youth to reject such misconceptions and rely on credible scientific information when making decisions about substance use.
According to him, the fact that cannabis is plant-based should not be interpreted as evidence that it is harmless.
“The fact that cannabis is a plant does not mean that it cannot affect you. It affects the brain, your memory and your ability to make sound decisions.”
He explained that contrary to the perception among some young people that cannabis could make them smarter or improve their intellectual abilities, the substance can negatively affect cognitive functions and impair a person’s capacity to make appropriate decisions.
The Director-General noted that such misconceptions were particularly dangerous because they could encourage experimentation and eventually lead to regular use, especially among young people who may be influenced by peers or information circulating on social media.
Major Gen. Mantey emphasised the importance of protecting the younger generation from substance abuse, noting that young people constitute an important part of Ghana’s future and must therefore be equipped with accurate information to make responsible choices.
He encouraged students to critically examine claims about drugs and avoid accepting popular narratives simply because they are widely circulated.
The Director-General also urged young people to understand that substance use can have consequences beyond immediate intoxication, potentially affecting their education, relationships, productivity and future opportunities.
He said the Commission would continue to intensify public education and prevention programmes aimed at empowering young people with the knowledge and skills needed to resist drug abuse.
The National Youth Conference therefore provided an important platform for direct engagement between NACOC and young people from across the country, allowing participants to discuss drug-related issues and challenge misconceptions surrounding narcotic substances.
Major Gen. Mantey called on students to become ambassadors of drug-free lifestyles by sharing accurate information with their peers and communities.
He stressed that the fight against drug abuse could not be left solely to law enforcement agencies, adding that parents, teachers, educational institutions, religious bodies, civil society organisations and young people themselves all had important roles to play.
He urged the youth to seek help and guidance when confronted with substance-use challenges rather than allowing misconceptions, peer pressure or misinformation to determine their choices.
The Director-General’s engagement forms part of NACOC’s broader commitment to strengthening drug prevention and demand-reduction initiatives, particularly among young people.
He reaffirmed the Commission’s determination to work with stakeholders to build a generation that is better informed about the risks associated with drug abuse and empowered to make healthy and responsible decisions.
The conference brought together young people from across Ghana, creating a national platform for dialogue on issues affecting their development and wellbeing, including the growing need for effective drug education and prevention.
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